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Security FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about security at Southampton Airport.

Transparent, resealable bag

How big can the transparent, resealable bag be? The capacity must not exceed 1 litre (20cm x 20cm, or 8in x 8in). Bags are available free of charge at the airport.

How many resealable bags am I allowed? Only one bag may be carried per passenger.

Hand luggage content

Foodstuffs and liquids

Can I take liquids in containers over 100ml? Not in hand luggage. Any liquids in containers over 100ml have to be packed in your main baggage that you check into the aircraft hold. There is a free water fountain facilitiy available by the ground floor toilets in the departure lounge, should you wish to fill up your own water bottle.

Can I take my wedding cake in my hand luggage? You can take most solid food, including wedding cake. Food in sauces or dishes that have a high liquid content will need to be in containers 100ml or less, and will need to go into a transparent, resealable bag.

Can I take yoghurts and fruit juices in hand luggage? Yes, but these need to be in containers 100ml or less, and have to go into your transparent, resealable bag.

Contact lenses

Can I take contact lens solution as hand luggage? Yes, provided it is in a container 100ml or less inside a transparent, resealable bag.

Toiletries

Can I take lipstick and deodorants on board in my hand luggage? Yes, you can take on board all solid cosmetics and so a standard lipstick would be acceptable as would solid deodorants. You can also take atomiser/cream/roll-on deodorants in containers up to 100ml. These will need to go in a transparent resealable bag.

Can I buy cosmetics, toiletries and drinks after security? Yes. If you are on a direct flight to your destination, you can fly with everything you buy after security.

Phones, cameras, electrical items

Electrical items - Can I take items such as an MP3 player, a portable DVD player and a laptop? Yes, there are no limitations on electrical items. We will ask for items to be removed and screened separately - laptop computers and large electrical items must be removed from hand baggage and placed in the trays with other belongings.

Digital cameras and mobile phones - Can I take these through security? Yes, but please place these items in your hand luggage or your jacket so that they can go through the X-ray machine.

Camera films - Do the increased security measures affect these? No. Independent tests undertaken by the British Photographers' Liaison Committee (BPLC) to establish the full and exact details of any potential film damage caused by baggage screening machines at airports, have given the all-clear to current hand-luggage x-ray inspection systems of the kind installed at Southampton Airport.

Gas hair tongs - Can I carry these in my hand baggage? Yes you can but you are only allowed to carry one gas cartridge that is in use and housed in the tongs.

Sharp items

Nail files and nail scissors - Can I take these on board? Yes, providing the blades are no longer than 6cm.

What about knitting needles? Knitting needles are allowed.

General

Will I have to take my shoes off? You should remove your footwear for security screening only if you are asked to do so by a security officer.

What about umbrellas? Umbrellas are permitted. They will be X-ray screened at security.

Can I carry glass items on? Yes.

I have a metal implant, do I need to bring any additional documentation with me to the airport? Passengers with metal implants, such as artificial knees and hips, do not require any additional documentation to travel.

Can I take candles with me? Yes you can carry candles in your hold or hand luggage.

Medicines

Quantities - What quantities of liquid medication can I take with me? Passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for their journey. Amounts under 100ml should be placed in a transparent, plastic bag with other liquids. For amounts over 100ml, supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (eg a letter from your doctor or prescription), is required.All liquids should be presented at security for x-ray inspection. Additional tests may be conducted.

Insulin - I carry insulin and hypodermic needles. Is this allowed? Yes, you are allowed to carry both the insulin and needles.

Non-prescribed medicine - I would like to carry some non-prescribed medicine in tablet form, such as paracetamol. May I do that? Yes, you can. There is no limit to what you carry in tablet or pill form, whether it is prescribed medication or not.

Can I carry an EpiPen in my hand luggage? Yes.

I am asthmatic, can I carry an inhaler? Yes you can.

I also have a spray, but for angina. Is this allowed? Yes, you may carry essential medicines for the trip.

Can I carry my homeopathic medication, which is in liquid form, in my hand luggage? The rules for homeopathic medicines are the same as for other liquid medicines.

Families and babies

Pushchairs - Am I allowed to take my child’s pushchair to the gate? Yes, you are allowed to take pushchairs, prams and buggies to the gate. These items will be subject to search.

Milk powder - Can I take this with me to make up a bottle of milk on the plane? Yes, you can carry milk powder.

Prepared milk - What about a bottle or carton of prepared milk or sterilized water, do they need to be a maximum of 100ml? If you are travelling with an infant, these items can exceed 100ml and do not have to fit into the resealable bag. However, the amount must be sufficient for your journey and these may be subject to additional tests

Non-dairy milk - What happens if the baby can only tolerate non-dairy and needs Soya or rice milk? If you are travelling with an infant, these items can exceed 100ml and do not have to fit into the resealable bag. However, the amount must be sufficient for your journey and these may be subject to additional tests

Baby food - What about jars of baby food? If you are travelling with an infant, these items can exceed 100ml and do not have to fit into the resealable bag. However, the amount must be sufficient for your journey and these may be subject to additional tests.

Car seats - Can we take these? Car seats can be taken as part of hold baggage, please check with your airline and speak to a member of check-in on the day.

Liquid medication - Can we carry children’s liquid medication in our hand luggage? Yes, carry sufficient for the trip and in containers of less than 100ml capacity.

Exceptional items

I have a musical instrument - Can I take this on board? Yes, but please contact your airline.I have a hat box. Can I take it with me in the cabin? Yes, but please contact your airline.

Wedding dress - Can I take this on board? Yes, but please contact your airline.

Padlocks on baggage

Can I still padlock my hold luggage? Or does it have to be left open? Yes, you can still padlock it, or use a combination lock.